A novel strength prediction model of mortars with different types of cement and SCMs

Abstract

Based on fib Model Code 2010, a time-dependent strength prediction model was improved by reconsidering the coefficient s for the cementitious materials with different types of cement and mix proportions. The relationship between s and mineral composition was investigated experimentally. The results indicate that the values of s show an approximately linear decreasing tendency with the C 3 S + C 3 A content in cement. An empirical function was proposed to describe the variation of s with different water-to-binder (W/b) ratio and different ratios of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and fly ash (FA) to the binder, GGBS/b and FA/b ratio. Based on regression analysis, the proposed function presented a correlation of the variation of s with W/b ratios and/or SCM/b ratios. Through the new modified strength prediction model, the predicted results of the compressive strengths of mortars were compared to the experimental results in this study and previous studies. The results show that the new model can provide an accurate evaluation of the early-age strength development of cementitious materials.